Contents

Story

Night 36

After Tribal Council, the final four celebrate the departure of Peih-Gee and congratulate each other for staying true to their alliance.

“

I thought I would be out in sixteenth place. And here I am guaranteed at least a one in four chance at winning.

”

–Courtney

The final four savor the moment with a group hug and turn in for the night.

Day 37

The next day, the tribe awakes after yet another uncomfortable night's sleep in their makeshift hut made of uneven bamboo. Amanda reads Tree Mail, notifying the tribe of an upcoming Reward Challenge.

“

This Reward is probably the most important one we have had thus far because we know we have Immunity coming up and we need energy.

”

–Amanda

At the challenge, as Amanda begins to reconstruct her wall, Todd catches up. They both frantically attempt to place the bricks in their proper place as Amanda takes a slight lead and never relinquishes it. Amanda finishes first and wins Reward. Jeff Probst then allows Amanda to keep it herself, or select one or two other people to join her on the Reward. Amanda decides just to bring Todd since the two haven't had much time to talk strategy alone.

Amanda and Todd sit to enjoy the Reward. Amanda takes advantage of her time alone with Todd and questions his loyalty to her. After the two clear the air, talk turns towards the vote, with Todd stating he is not satisfied with losing to Courtney or Denise and he is with her until the end. Back at camp, Courtney asks Denise whom she wants to vote out next and wastes no time in stating Todd, due to him being untrustworthy.

Todd and Amanda return to camp from their Reward as Todd finds himself alone in the hut with Denise to discuss the vote. Courtney sits nearby, eavesdropping on their conversation. Denise informs Todd that she isn't ready to leave the game yet, while Todd becomes nervous about his position.

“

I just feel like it's going to go girl power tomorrow and I will probably be the one that's gone.

”

–Todd

Denise then asks Todd who he feels has the best chance of winning and he tells her Amanda or Courtney. Courtney takes her newfound information and approaches Amanda to fill her in on what she has learned from Todd and Denise's conversation, Todd asks Amanda and Courtney if Denise is next to go and he receives a yes from Amanda.

“

I am hoping that Courtney and Amanda are still on the same wavelength as me so that Denise can be the next on the chopping block instead of them going all girl power and voting me out. So paranoia on my side is high and I hate being paranoid, I hate it.

”

–Todd

Day 38

The tribe awakes as Todd reads Tree Mail, which instructs them to paddle to the giant statue of Guan Yin, the Chinese goddess of compassion and mercy. As the final four arrives at the steps of the statue and makes their way to the top, they find the torches of those who have been previously voted out. Paying homage to their fallen comrades (Chicken, Ashley, Leslie, Dave, Aaron, Sherea, Jaime, Jean-Robert, Frosti, James, Erik, and Peih-Gee), they light a set of ceremonial firecrackers at each torch and give thanks to their former competitors as they reflect on their time spent in the game.

Upon completing the Rites of Passage, Jeff begins the Final Immunity Challenge as each Survivor awkwardly balances the first plate on their wobbly devices. Some time later, the pressure builds as Todd loses his concentration and balance, sending his stack crashing to the ground, followed shortly by Courtney. Denise seizes the opportunity to strike a deal with Amanda.

“

Come on Amanda, let's make a deal. I won't write your name down, you won't write mine down.

”

–Denise (to Amanda)

Amanda doesn't go for Denise's proposal and remains focused, and just before the next stack can be placed, Denise loses balance, giving Amanda immunity. Feeling anxious as the night's vote looms, Denise approaches Amanda back at camp in hopes of convincing her to keep her around, Amanda says how she admires Denise's determination and her never give up attitude as Denise appeals to Amanda's sympathetic side.

“

This is all I got right now. After this I have to go back to my family. I am not saying that it's a bad thing. I'm just saying that, you know, that I'm going to go back to making seven dollars an hour working as the lunch lady doing the same things day after day, like I have been doing.

”

–Denise

At Tribal Council, Denise helped to seal her fate when she openly admits that she is a threat to win the game, when Denise also claims that Amanda promised to watch her back in the game, Amanda denies it, Todd reacts with a smirk. When questioned about his reaction, Todd explains, that it was sly for her to do that.

When the votes are read, Denise's worst nightmare comes true as Amanda does not turn against Todd, and Denise is voted out of the game, three votes to one.

Day 39

Challenges

Reward

Challenge:Great Wall of Zhelin
Each contestant must race to construct a Survivor version of The Great Wall of China. First, they will start on top of the wall and race down a ladder. Next, they must race to assemble and cross a puzzle bridge. Once across, they will use a traditional Chinese Yoke to stack their puzzle blocks and carry them back through the course up the ladder. Finally, using the puzzle blocks, they must complete their section of the wall by fitting the properly shaped pieces in the correct slots.
Reward: Pizza, beer, brownies, and soft drinksWinner:Amanda Kimmel (Had the choice to either keep it for herself, share it with 1 person, or choose 2 people to join her. She chose Todd.)

Reward Challenge: Great Wall of Zhelin

Result

Winner

Competitors

Castaway

Amanda

Courtney, Denise, & Todd

Immunity

Challenge:Broken China
The contestants will stack porcelain dishes on a long, wobbly balancing arm. The more dishes they stack and the longer they must hold them, the more difficult it is to keep them stable. Once a dish falls off of the balancing plate, they are out of the challenge.Winner:Amanda Kimmel

Tribal Council

Day 38

Voting Confessionals

(votes for Todd) Todd, I like you, but I'm gonna have to vote for you 'cause I know you're gonna vote for me tonight. Good luck.

”

–Denise

“

(votes for Denise) Sorry, babe.

”

–Courtney

“

(votes for Denise) One of the greatest competitors in this game so far. You've been awesome to me. Thank you. Denise.

”

–Todd

“

(votes for Denise) Denise, I love you, girl, but you know why I made this vote. Um, I just... I have to stick with my original alliance, and I feel like I'd do better with them against the end. So, there you are.

”

–Amanda

Final Words

“

I definitely believe I would have won this entire thing if I had stayed in the game. I am just proud of what I have accomplished. To make it 38 days out here is just a spectacular thing for a 40-year-old woman.

”

–Denise Martin

Final Tribal Council

Tribal Council 14:Jury Vote

Voted forWinner

Voter

Todd (4 votes)

Frosti, Jaime, Jean-Robert, Peih-Gee

Courtney (2 votes)

Denise, James

Amanda (1 vote)

Erik

SECOND RUNNER-UP:Amanda Kimmel

RUNNER-UP:Courtney Yates

SOLE SURVIVOR:Todd Herzog

Voting Confessionals

“

(voting for Todd) You did not have my vote coming into this. Um, I'm very impressed with your answers this evening, and that's why you got my vote. So congratulations.

”

–Jaime

“

(votes for Amanda) I relate to your struggle to being honest in this game. I think you played the best well-rounded game. So congratulations, wish you the best.

”

–Erik

“

(voting for Courtney) Courtney, I picked you because you always tried to tell me the truth, and you overcame the most odds. Good job, congratulations.